World Rhino Day focus on India-Bhutan joint conservation

On World Rhino Day, September 22, Mongabay offers a look into the efforts made to preserve rhinos from extinction. In 1983, the last wild northern white rhino in Uganda was killed for its horn, but the country now hosts rhinos once more. In the past year, four southern white rhinos and four more southern white rhinos were relocated to Kidepo Valley National Park and Ajai Wildlife Reserve in northern Uganda, respectively.

This move was explained by Robert Aruho, a veterinary specialist from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, who mentioned that it helps prevent a complete loss of genetic variation. In Mozambique, Zinave National Park, once known as a "silent park" due to its decimation during a civil war, has welcomed 64 white rhinos and black rhinos since 2022.

As grazing animals, rhinos play a crucial role in maintaining the grassland ecosystem, which benefits other wildlife and reduces fire hazards. Antony Alexander, a representative from the Peace Parks Foundation, explained that without rhinos, grass levels would be excessively high, posing a significant fire risk.